This post is more than 5 years old
103 Posts
0
3931
Aurora R4 MIO Reroute Scheme + Cabling ID - Need Opinions
Hi fellow aliens,
I'm going to replace my Aurora R4 mobo with a new mobo (Asus Strix Z270G).
Now, in order to keep the AlienFX functionality, I plan to connect the front panel -> MIO -> Mobo in this way. Any thoughts?
based on: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VbLCmBtrPj4
Dell Factory scheme:
Front Panel -> Proprietary Connector (Links front panel to MIO via small blue connector -> MIO -> USB Header -> Alienware Mobo
My plan:
Front Panel -> Standard Front panel connector mixed with blue connector (see video: middle) -> Asus mobo
MIO connects to ASUS via USB header.
what do you think? Does this make sense? The only thing I am concerned is that, I may be able to power the mobo but I don't know if the MIO turns on.
Update: I also need to ask a few questions about cabling. Seen in this photos are the cables (twisted pairs).
Judging from these cables, I theorize that the small white connector (BLINK) is the one that turns on the MIO board. The MIO board is fed power by a standard MOLEX connector. However, I suspect that BLINK actually triggers the activation of the MIO board.
Do I make sense? Are there flaws in my theory?
Also, as I plan to use a different mobo, I have to connect the front panel to the Mobo instead of MIO, but I also should keep BLINK connected as I need to power the MIO board.
Am I correct?
Finally, should I be correct all the time, this is how Z270G Front panel connector looks like:
I therefore need to connect PWR_SW to this board. However, in the second photo, there are three twisted pairs of cables. One of them is the power switch, one of them is the power led and the other is unknown to me. My question is:
What is the unknown one?
Update 2:
Another folk told me that all I need to do is merely:
Re-plugging all cables back to the MIO and attaching a USB header cable to connect the MIO to the Mobo. My only question is, how can I power up/turn on the mobo?
Re
Cass-Ole
1 Rookie
1 Rookie
•
1.8K Posts
0
June 14th, 2017 17:00
Asus vs JFP1 (stock MSI mthrbrd) pins match, just pop the blue 5x5 connector on
install Command Center 2.8.9 from the Dell.com Aurora driver download page
In the youtube vid he cut and spliced the wires when there was no need to cut them
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
•
17K Posts
2
June 14th, 2017 09:00
-----Quote --------
1. but I also should keep BLINK connected as I need to power the MIO board.
2. Finally, should I be correct all the time, this is how Z270G Front panel connector looks like:
3. My only question is, how can I power up/turn on the mobo?
-----Quote --------
1. I think BLINK is their way of describing a "momentary switch". I don't think it actually "powers" the MIO-Board, but rather lets it know you have pressed the main power switch, so now it can respond appropriately (and appear to turn on with rest of machine). If machine is plugged-in, I don't think MIO-Board is actually ever without power.
2. Cass-Ole has several nice build threads posted on swapping-in after market boards, and how to wire Aurora's front panel (or similar Area51-R1's panel). Let us know if you can't find them.
3. The MIO-Board on Aurora R1-R4 gets it's power from a old-school 4-pin Molex connector. Like I said, on this Power Supply, I think it's always "hot" if machine is simply connected to AC-Power.
Rhenium
103 Posts
0
June 14th, 2017 09:00
Hi Tesla,
#1 I see. For now, I have no comment about it.
#2 I have tried to search for some. The thing is, I have too many results. Do you know any good beginning posts?
#3 if I understand correctly:
- Connect the front panel cables to the MIO board.
- Connect the MIO board to the mobo.
- "If you power the system, the MIO and the mobo will power up despite the fact that the front panel isn't connected to the mobo."
Am I correct?
If I am correct, I can draw a conclusion that:
"The MIO board powers the mobo via USB header since the front panel is connected to the MIO."
What do you think?
Rhenium
103 Posts
0
June 14th, 2017 18:00
Excellent! This is what I have been looking for! Thank you so much!
Rhenium
103 Posts
0
June 14th, 2017 18:00
Oh yeah, one more thing, why must I use a specific version of CC? Can't I just use the latest one? Or In order to fool CC, how about if I install the given version and then update it to the latest one?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
•
17K Posts
0
June 14th, 2017 19:00
It's based on Aurora model (and MIO-Board type) and Windows version you are running.
So, in your case ... Aurora-R4 on Windows-10/64bit I suppose. Aurora-R4 was last machine to use that kind of MIO-Board.
Rhenium
103 Posts
0
June 14th, 2017 20:00
Ahh, saddening. But I am fine with that.
Cass-Ole
1 Rookie
1 Rookie
•
1.8K Posts
0
June 14th, 2017 21:00
2.8.9 installs on its own, + I thought u had an R1 for some reason, see CmndCntr non-Alien Mthrbrd
Rhenium
103 Posts
0
June 15th, 2017 10:00
I have R4.